Methods and apparatus for managing machine-type communications

ABSTRACT

The described aspects include methods and apparatus providing MTC in a wireless network. In an aspect, a narrow bandwidth within a wide system bandwidth is allocated for communicating data related to MTC. MTC control data generated for communicating over one or more MTC control channels for an MTC UE within the narrow bandwidth is transmitted over the one or more MTC control channels. The one or more MTC channels are multiplexed with one or more legacy channels over the wide system bandwidth. Other aspects are provided for transmission mode and content of the MTC control data or other MTC data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/844,176, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Managing Machine-TypeCommunications” and filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/646,169, entitled “Methods andApparatus for Managing Machine-Type Communications” and filed on May 11,2012, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/648,004, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Managing Machine-TypeCommunications” and filed on May 16, 2012, which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, andmore particularly, to methods and apparatus for managing machine-typecommunications.

Background

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide varioustelecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems may employmultiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication withmultiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth,transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access technologies includecode division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multipleaccess (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA)systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems,single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, andtime division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA)systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in varioustelecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enablesdifferent wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national,regional, and even global level. An example of an emergingtelecommunication standard is Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE is a set ofenhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)mobile standard promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP). It is designed to better support mobile broadband Internetaccess by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improvingservices, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with otheropen standards using OFDMA on the downlink (DL), SC-FDMA on the uplink(UL), and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology.However, as the demand for mobile broadband access continues toincrease, there exists a need for further improvements in LTEtechnology. Preferably, these improvements should be applicable to othermulti-access technologies and the telecommunication standards thatemploy these technologies.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In one example, a method for providing machine-type-communication (MTC)in a wireless network is provided. The method includes allocating anarrow bandwidth within a wide system bandwidth for communicating datarelated to MTC and generating MTC control data for communicating overone or more MTC control channels for an MTC user equipment (UE) withinthe narrow bandwidth. The method further includes transmitting the oneor more MTC control channels multiplexed with one or more legacychannels over the wide system bandwidth.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or moreaspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative featuresof the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, ofbut a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspectsmay be employed, and this description is intended to include all suchaspects and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network architecture.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an access network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a DL frame structure inLTE.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an UL frame structure inLTE.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a radio protocolarchitecture for the user and control planes.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an evolved Node B anduser equipment in an access network.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a communication system.

FIGS. 8A through 8C are diagrams illustrating narrowband operation ofMTC UEs in a large bandwidth allocated for non-MTC UEs.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidth allocation.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating bandwidth allocations forMTC.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidth allocation.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidth allocation.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating subframes without narrowband MTC andsubframes with narrowband MTC.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method of wireless communication.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidth allocation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating various example ePDCCH structuresassociated with an NCT.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method for providing MTC in a wirelessnetwork.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a flow chart for providing MTC in a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a method for providing MTC in a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method for providing MTC in a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a method for providing MTC in a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flowbetween different modules/means/components in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

FIG. 23 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flowbetween different modules/means/components in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented withreference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methodswill be described in the following detailed description and illustratedin the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components,circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred toas “elements”). These elements may be implemented using electronichardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether suchelements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or anycombination of elements may be implemented with a “processing system”that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, andother suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalitydescribed throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in theprocessing system may execute software. Software shall be construedbroadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments,program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications,software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines,objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.,whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the functionsdescribed may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may bestored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computerstorage media. Storage media may be any available media that can beaccessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desiredprogram code in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includescompact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc(DVD), and floppy disk where disks usually reproduce data magnetically,while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of theabove should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an LTE network architecture 100. TheLTE network architecture 100 may be referred to as an Evolved PacketSystem (EPS) 100. The EPS 100 may include one or more user equipment(UE) 102, an Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 110, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)120, and an Operator's Internet Protocol (IP) Services 122. The EPS caninterconnect with other access networks, but for simplicity thoseentities/interfaces are not shown. As shown, the EPS providespacket-switched services, however, as those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate, the various concepts presented throughout thisdisclosure may be extended to networks providing circuit-switchedservices.

The E-UTRAN includes the evolved Node B (eNB) 106 and other eNBs 108.The eNB 106 provides user and control planes protocol terminationstoward the UE 102. The eNB 106 may be connected to the other eNBs 108via a backhaul (e.g., an X2 interface). The eNB 106 may also be referredto as a base station, a Node B, an access point, a base transceiverstation, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiverfunction, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), orsome other suitable terminology. The eNB 106 provides an access point tothe EPC 110 for a UE 102. Examples of UEs 102 include a cellular phone,a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a globalpositioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audioplayer (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, or anyother similar functioning device. The UE 102 may also be referred to bythose skilled in the art as a mobile station, a subscriber station, amobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobiledevice, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remotedevice, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobileterminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a useragent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

The eNB 106 is connected to the EPC 110. The EPC 110 includes a MobilityManagement Entity (MME) 112, other MMEs 114, a Serving Gateway 116, aMultimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 124, a BroadcastMulticast Service Center (BM-SC) 126, and a Packet Data Network (PDN)Gateway 118. The MME 112 is the control node that processes thesignaling between the UE 102 and the EPC 110. Generally, the MME 112provides bearer and connection management. All user IP packets aretransferred through the Serving Gateway 116, which itself is connectedto the PDN Gateway 118. The PDN Gateway 118 provides UE IP addressallocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway 118 is connectedto the Operator's IP Services 122. The Operator's IP Services 122 mayinclude the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), anda PS Streaming Service (PSS). The BM-SC 126 may provide functions forMBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC 126 may serve asan entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used toauthorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a PLMN, and may beused to schedule and deliver MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 124may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the eNBs (e.g., 106, 108)belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) areabroadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible for sessionmanagement (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charginginformation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an access network 200 inan LTE network architecture. In this example, the access network 200 isdivided into a number of cellular regions (cells) 202. One or more lowerpower class eNBs 208 may have cellular regions 210 that overlap with oneor more of the cells 202. The lower power class eNB 208 may be a femtocell (e.g., home eNB (HeNB)), pico cell, micro cell, or remote radiohead (RRH). The macro eNBs 204 are each assigned to a respective cell202 and are configured to provide an access point to the EPC 110 for allthe UEs 206 in the cells 202. There is no centralized controller in thisexample of an access network 200, but a centralized controller may beused in alternative configurations. The eNBs 204 are responsible for allradio related functions including radio bearer control, admissioncontrol, mobility control, scheduling, security, and connectivity to theserving gateway 116. An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., three)cells (also referred to as a sector). The term “cell” can refer to thesmallest coverage area of an eNB and/or an eNB subsystem serving areparticular coverage area. Further, the terms “eNB,” “base station,” and“cell” may be used interchangeably herein.

The modulation and multiple access scheme employed by the access network200 may vary depending on the particular telecommunications standardbeing deployed. In LTE applications, OFDM is used on the DL and SC-FDMAis used on the UL to support both frequency division duplex (FDD) andtime division duplex (TDD). As those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate from the detailed description to follow, the various conceptspresented herein are well suited for LTE applications. However, theseconcepts may be readily extended to other telecommunication standardsemploying other modulation and multiple access techniques. By way ofexample, these concepts may be extended to Evolution-Data Optimized(EV-DO) or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB). EV-DO and UMB are air interfacestandards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2(3GPP2) as part of the CDMA2000 family of standards and employs CDMA toprovide broadband Internet access to mobile stations. These concepts mayalso be extended to Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) employingWideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other variants of CDMA, such as TD-SCDMA;Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) employing TDMA; andEvolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE802.20, and Flash-OFDM employing OFDMA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE and GSMare described in documents from the 3GPP organization. CDMA2000 and UMBare described in documents from the 3GPP2 organization. The actualwireless communication standard and the multiple access technologyemployed will depend on the specific application and the overall designconstraints imposed on the system.

The eNBs 204 may have multiple antennas supporting MIMO technology. Theuse of MIMO technology enables the eNBs 204 to exploit the spatialdomain to support spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and transmitdiversity. Spatial multiplexing may be used to transmit differentstreams of data simultaneously on the same frequency. The data streamsmay be transmitted to a single UE 206 to increase the data rate or tomultiple UEs 206 to increase the overall system capacity. This isachieved by spatially precoding each data stream (i.e., applying ascaling of an amplitude and a phase) and then transmitting eachspatially precoded stream through multiple transmit antennas on the DL.The spatially precoded data streams arrive at the UE(s) 206 withdifferent spatial signatures, which enables each of the UE(s) 206 torecover the one or more data streams destined for that UE 206. On theUL, each UE 206 transmits a spatially precoded data stream, whichenables the eNB 204 to identify the source of each spatially precodeddata stream.

Spatial multiplexing is generally used when channel conditions are good.When channel conditions are less favorable, beamforming may be used tofocus the transmission energy in one or more directions. This may beachieved by spatially precoding the data for transmission throughmultiple antennas. To achieve good coverage at the edges of the cell, asingle stream beamforming transmission may be used in combination withtransmit diversity.

In the detailed description that follows, various aspects of an accessnetwork will be described with reference to a MIMO system supportingOFDM on the DL. OFDM is a spread-spectrum technique that modulates dataover a number of subcarriers within an OFDM symbol. The subcarriers arespaced apart at precise frequencies. The spacing provides“orthogonality” that enables a receiver to recover the data from thesubcarriers. In the time domain, a guard interval (e.g., cyclic prefix)may be added to each OFDM symbol to combat inter-OFDM-symbolinterference. The UL may use SC-FDMA in the form of a DFT-spread OFDMsignal to compensate for high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR).

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating an example of a DL frame structurein LTE. A frame (10 ms) may be divided into 10 equally sized subframes.Each subframe may include two consecutive time slots. A resource gridmay be used to represent two time slots, each time slot including aresource block. The resource grid is divided into multiple resourceelements. In LTE, a resource block contains 12 consecutive subcarriersin the frequency domain and, for a normal cyclic prefix in each OFDMsymbol, 7 consecutive OFDM symbols in the time domain, or 84 resourceelements. For an extended cyclic prefix, a resource block contains 6consecutive OFDM symbols in the time domain and has 72 resourceelements. Some of the resource elements, indicated as R 302, 304,include DL reference signals (DL-RS). The DL-RS include Cell-specific RS(CRS) (also sometimes called common RS) 302 and UE-specific RS (UE-RS)304. UE-RS 304 are transmitted only on the resource blocks upon whichthe corresponding physical DL shared channel (PDSCH) is mapped. Thenumber of bits carried by each resource element depends on themodulation scheme. Thus, the more resource blocks that a UE receives andthe higher the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate for the UE.

FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of an UL frame structurein LTE. The available resource blocks for the UL may be partitioned intoa data section and a control section. The control section may be formedat the two edges of the system bandwidth and may have a configurablesize. The resource blocks in the control section may be assigned to UEsfor transmission of control information. The data section may includeall resource blocks not included in the control section. The UL framestructure results in the data section including contiguous subcarriers,which may allow a single UE to be assigned all of the contiguoussubcarriers in the data section.

A UE may be assigned resource blocks 410 a, 410 b in the control sectionto transmit control information to an eNB. The UE may also be assignedresource blocks 420 a, 420 b in the data section to transmit data to theeNB. The UE may transmit control information in a physical UL controlchannel (PUCCH) on the assigned resource blocks in the control section.The UE may transmit only data or both data and control information in aphysical UL shared channel (PUSCH) on the assigned resource blocks inthe data section. A UL transmission may span both slots of a subframeand may hop across frequency.

A set of resource blocks may be used to perform initial system accessand achieve UL synchronization in a physical random access channel(PRACH) 430. The PRACH 430 carries a random sequence and cannot carryany UL data/signaling. Each random access preamble occupies a bandwidthcorresponding to six consecutive resource blocks. The starting frequencyis specified by the network. That is, the transmission of the randomaccess preamble is restricted to certain time and frequency resources.There is no frequency hopping for the PRACH. The PRACH attempt iscarried in a single subframe (1 ms) or in a sequence of few contiguoussubframes and a UE can make only a single PRACH attempt per frame (10ms).

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating an example of a radio protocolarchitecture for the user and control planes in LTE. The radio protocolarchitecture for the UE and the eNB is shown with three layers: Layer 1,Layer 2, and Layer 3. Layer 1 (L1 layer) is the lowest layer andimplements various physical layer signal processing functions. The L1layer will be referred to herein as the physical layer 506. Layer 2 (L2layer) 508 is above the physical layer 506 and is responsible for thelink between the UE and eNB over the physical layer 506.

In the user plane, the L2 layer 508 includes a media access control(MAC) sublayer 510, a radio link control (RLC) sublayer 512, and apacket data convergence protocol (PDCP) 514 sublayer, which areterminated at the eNB on the network side. Although not shown, the UEmay have several upper layers above the L2 layer 508 including a networklayer (e.g., IP layer) that is terminated at the PDN gateway 118 on thenetwork side, and an application layer that is terminated at the otherend of the connection (e.g., far end UE, server, etc.).

The PDCP sublayer 514 provides multiplexing between different radiobearers and logical channels. The PDCP sublayer 514 also provides headercompression for upper layer data packets to reduce radio transmissionoverhead, security by ciphering the data packets, and handover supportfor UEs between eNBs. The RLC sublayer 512 provides segmentation andreassembly of upper layer data packets, retransmission of lost datapackets, and reordering of data packets to compensate for out-of-orderreception due to hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). The MACsublayer 510 provides multiplexing between logical and transportchannels. The MAC sublayer 510 is also responsible for allocating thevarious radio resources (e.g., resource blocks) in one cell among theUEs. The MAC sublayer 510 is also responsible for HARQ operations.

In the control plane, the radio protocol architecture for the UE and eNBis substantially the same for the physical layer 506 and the L2 layer508 with the exception that there is no header compression function forthe control plane. The control plane also includes a radio resourcecontrol (RRC) sublayer 516 in Layer 3 (L3 layer). The RRC sublayer 516is responsible for obtaining radio resources (e.g., radio bearers) andfor configuring the lower layers using RRC signaling between the eNB andthe UE.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an eNB 610 in communication with a UE 650in an access network. In the DL, upper layer packets from the corenetwork are provided to a controller/processor 675. Thecontroller/processor 675 implements the functionality of the L2 layer.In the DL, the controller/processor 675 provides header compression,ciphering, packet segmentation and reordering, multiplexing betweenlogical and transport channels, and radio resource allocations to the UE650 based on various priority metrics. The controller/processor 675 isalso responsible for HARQ operations, retransmission of lost packets,and signaling to the UE 650.

The transmit (TX) processor 616 implements various signal processingfunctions for the L1 layer (i.e., physical layer). The signal processingfunctions include coding and interleaving to facilitate forward errorcorrection (FEC) at the UE 650 and mapping to signal constellationsbased on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying(BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying(M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded andmodulated symbols are then split into parallel streams. Each stream isthen mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal(e.g., pilot) in the time and/or frequency domain, and then combinedtogether using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce aphysical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDMstream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams.Channel estimates from a channel estimator 674 may be used to determinethe coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. Thechannel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and/or channelcondition feedback transmitted by the UE 650. Each spatial stream maythen be provided to a different antenna 620 via a separate transmitter618TX. Each transmitter 618TX may modulate an RF carrier with arespective spatial stream for transmission.

At the UE 650, each receiver 654RX receives a signal through itsrespective antenna 652. Each receiver 654RX recovers informationmodulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the receive(RX) processor 656. The RX processor 656 implements various signalprocessing functions of the L1 layer. The RX processor 656 may performspatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streamsdestined for the UE 650. If multiple spatial streams are destined forthe UE 650, they may be combined by the RX processor 656 into a singleOFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 656 then converts the OFDM symbolstream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast FourierTransform (FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDMsymbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols oneach subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulatedby determining the most likely signal constellation points transmittedby the eNB 610. These soft decisions may be based on channel estimatescomputed by the channel estimator 658. The soft decisions are thendecoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals thatwere originally transmitted by the eNB 610 on the physical channel. Thedata and control signals are then provided to the controller/processor659.

The controller/processor 659 implements the L2 layer. Thecontroller/processor can be associated with a memory 660 that storesprogram codes and data. The memory 660 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 659provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover upper layer packets from the core network. The upper layerpackets are then provided to a data sink 662, which represents all theprotocol layers above the L2 layer. Various control signals may also beprovided to the data sink 662 for L3 processing. Thecontroller/processor 659 is also responsible for error detection usingan acknowledgement (ACK) and/or negative acknowledgement (NACK) protocolto support HARQ operations.

In the UL, a data source 667 is used to provide upper layer packets tothe controller/processor 659. The data source 667 represents allprotocol layers above the L2 layer. Similar to the functionalitydescribed in connection with the DL transmission by the eNB 610, thecontroller/processor 659 implements the L2 layer for the user plane andthe control plane by providing header compression, ciphering, packetsegmentation and reordering, and multiplexing between logical andtransport channels based on radio resource allocations by the eNB 610.The controller/processor 659 is also responsible for HARQ operations,retransmission of lost packets, and signaling to the eNB 610.

Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 658 from a referencesignal or feedback transmitted by the eNB 610 may be used by the TXprocessor 668 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes,and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated bythe TX processor 668 may be provided to different antenna 652 viaseparate transmitters 654TX. Each transmitter 654TX may modulate an RFcarrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

The UL transmission is processed at the eNB 610 in a manner similar tothat described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 650.Each receiver 618RX receives a signal through its respective antenna620. Each receiver 618RX recovers information modulated onto an RFcarrier and provides the information to a RX processor 670. The RXprocessor 670 may implement the L1 layer.

The controller/processor 675 implements the L2 layer. Thecontroller/processor 675 can be associated with a memory 676 that storesprogram codes and data. The memory 676 may be referred to as acomputer-readable medium. In the UL, the control/processor 675 providesdemultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packetreassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processingto recover upper layer packets from the UE 650. Upper layer packets fromthe controller/processor 675 may be provided to the core network. Thecontroller/processor 675 is also responsible for error detection usingan ACK and/or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

Described herein are various aspects related to providing support formachine-type communications (MTC) in a wireless network. Due toreduction in requirements for such communications and related MTC UEs,such MTC UEs can be supported within a fraction of a wide bandwidth usedfor current wireless technologies. For example, MTC UEs can operateusing a reduced bandwidth, single radio frequency (RF) chain, reducedpeak rate, reduced transmit power, half duplex operation, etc., at leastbecause related capabilities of such MTC UEs are less than those of morecomplex UEs (e.g., smart phones, tablets, etc.). For example, a datarate of an MTC UE is not expected to exceed 100 kilobits per second(kbps) and, therefore, such MTC UEs can be supported with reducednetwork requirements. Moreover, a portion of transmission modes in suchtechnologies can be supported for MTC UE communication, and/oradditional modes can be defined to lessen network complexity, asdescribed herein.

Traditional LTE designs are generally focused on improving spectralefficiency, ubiquitous coverage, and enhanced QoS support, for example.Such improvements generally serve high end devices, such as thestate-of-art smartphones, tablets, etc. However, low cost and low datarate devices, such as MTC UEs, need to be supported as well. Forexample, it has been shown that the number of such low cost devicesbeing used may exceed today's complex cell phones. Accordingly, in orderto support such MTC UEs in an LTE system, improvements such as thereduction of maximum bandwidth, a single receive RF chain, a reductionof peak rate, a reduction of transmit power, and half duplex operationmay be needed.

Since the intended data rate for low cost devices is typically less than100 kilobits per second (kbps), it is possible to operate such low costdevices only at narrow bandwidths to reduce costs. For example, twooperation scenarios may be possible. In one scenario, some narrowbandwidth, e.g. 1.25 megahertz (MHz), may be reserved to support MTCoperations. Standard changes may not be necessary for such operations.In another scenario, low cost UEs may be operated in a large bandwidth.In such a scenario, low cost UEs, such as MTC UEs, may co-exist withregular non-MTC UEs, such as smartphones and tablets. In this scenario,for example, two possible operations for low cost UEs in a largebandwidth are possible. In a first operation, low cost UEs still operateat the same large bandwidth (e.g., e.g., up to 20 MHz). Such a firstoperation may not impact the LTE standards, however, may not help inreducing cost and battery power consumption. In a second operation, lowcost UEs may operate with a smaller bandwidth (e.g., 1.25 MHz), however,the performance of the low cost UEs may be impacted.

FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating a communication system. FIG. 7includes a node 702, an MTC UE 704, and a UE 706 (also referred to as a“non-MTC UE”). The node 702 can be a macro node (e.g., an eNB), femtonode, pico node, or similar base station, a mobile base station, arelay, a UE (e.g., communicating in peer-to-peer or ad-hoc mode withanother UE), a portion thereof, and/or substantially any component thatcommunicates control data in a wireless network. The MTC UE 704 andnon-MTC UE 314 can each be a mobile terminal, a stationary terminal, amodem (or other tethered device), a portion thereof, and/orsubstantially any device that receives control data in a wirelessnetwork.

As shown in FIG. 7, the MTC UE 704 receives DL transmissions 710 fromeNB 702 and sends UL transmissions 708 to the eNB 702. In one aspect,the DL and UL transmissions 710 and 708 may include either MTC controlinformation or MTC data. As further shown in FIG. 7, the UE 706 receivesDL transmissions 712 from eNB 702 and sends UL transmissions 714 to theeNB 702.

FIGS. 8A through 8C are diagrams 802, 810, and 814 illustratingnarrowband operation of MTC UEs in a large bandwidth allocated fornon-MTC UEs. FIG. 8A shows a large bandwidth 806 allocated for non-MTCUEs and further shows a DL center frequency 803. Accordingly, the DLoperates in the center of the large bandwidth 806. In the configurationof FIG. 8A, shaded portion 804 is reserved for PDCCH. As further shownin FIG. 8A, narrow bandwidth 808 can be used for both UL and DL and canbe used for a primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondarysynchronization signal (SSS), physical broadcast channel (PBCH), SIB,and/or paging. For example, the narrow bandwidth can be 1.25 MHZ. FIG.8B shows a UL center frequency 811 and the narrow bandwidth 812. Forexample, UL random access channel (RACH) messages (e.g., message 1 andmessage 3) can be communicated by MTC UEs in the UL center frequency 811to facilitate access to the network. As shown in FIG. 8C, other ULtransmissions can be communicated in a bandwidth different from narrowbandwidth 808, such as bandwidth 816. It should be understood that inFIGS. 8A through 8C, the small bandwidth 808 can be located in a regionother than the center of the large bandwidth 806.

In a specific example, LTE allows the following transmission modes(TMs): TM1 for single antenna port, TM2 for transmit diversity, TM3 foropen loop MIMO, TM4 for close loop MIMO, TM5 for multi-user MIMO, TM6for single layer closed loop MIMO, TM7 for single layer beamforming withdedicated reference signal (RS), TM8 for dual layer beamforming withdedicated RS, TM9 for MIMO with up to 8 layer transmissions, and TM10for coordinated multiple point (CoMP). For SIB/MIB transmission, as wellas message 2 and message 4 for RACH, the default transmission modes areused: TM1 is used for single and TM2 is used for 2 transmit (Tx)antennas or 4 Tx antennas. The UE can be switched to anothertransmission mode based on UE specific radio resource control (RRC)signaling.

MIB or physical broadcast channel (PBCH) can contain various informationbits, such as bandwidth information bits, physical HARQ indicatorchannel (PHICH) configuration bits, and SFN bits. The bandwidthinformation can be four bits, however, such bandwidth information maynot be needed for MTC when narrowband operation is used. The PHICHconfiguration bits can be three bits (e.g., one bit for duration, twobits for PHICH group). However, such PHICH configuration may not beneeded if NCT is used or if a fixed control region for PBCH subframe isused. The SFN bits can be eight bits of the most significant bits (MSB)(the other 2 bit from blind decoding of PBCH in 40 ms). The SFN bits canbe signaled later in the payload. Antenna information can be conveyed byanother signal. PBCH transmission matches around 4 antenna ports, spacefrequency block code (SFBC) or SFBC-frequency switched transmitdiversity (FSTD) is used for antenna numbers of 2 or 4. Combined with 4timing hypothesis and 3 antenna hypothesis, a total of 12 blind decodingis needed for current PBCH decoding.

Therefore, in order to reduce costs, MTC can be operated in a narrowband, e.g. six resource blocks (RBs). Considering cost saving as well aslimited requirement on the data rate, the transmission mode can berestricted only to those without the support of spatial multiplexing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram 900 illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidthallocation. The MTC bandwidth 906 can be a narrow bandwidth (alsoreferred to as “narrowband” (NB)) allocated to MTC devices, such as theMTC UE 704, as compared to a wide system bandwidth (WB) allocated toother UEs (e.g., non-MTC UEs) in a wireless network, such as the UE 706.In one example, as shown in FIG. 9, the bandwidth 906 for MTC can beallocated as a standalone bandwidth. For example, the bandwidth 906 canbe that available in a corresponding wireless network (e.g., 5 MHz, 1.4MHz, etc. in LTE). In the example of FIG. 9, downlink control channels902 can be reserved on the first four symbols of the bandwidth 906 anddownlink data channels 904 can be reserved on subsequent symbols of thebandwidth 906. For example, the symbols can correspond to OFDM symbolswhere bandwidth is partitioned to yield a number of subcarriers in thefrequency domain over a number of symbols in the time domain. In otherexamples, described hereinbelow, the symbols can correlate to timeperiods in TDM, frequencies in FDM, and/or the like. In any case, thebandwidth allocations discussed herein may correlate to a subframe orother time period in the wireless network.

FIG. 10A is a diagram 1000 illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidthallocation. In one example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the narrow bandwidth1003 for MTC is multiplexed within a wide system bandwidth 1002 of acorresponding wireless network. For example, the narrow bandwidth 1003can be 1.25 MHz within the wide system bandwidth 1002 of 20 MHz. Thewide system bandwidth 1002 has a region 1006 reserved for legacy controlchannels of the wireless network related to the wide system bandwidth1002, such as in LTE. The wide system bandwidth 1002 also has a region1008 reserved for legacy data channels. The term legacy is used hereinto describe a current technology used by the wireless network withinwhich MTC support is implemented, for example. Where the legacy controlchannels 1006 and MTC control channels 902 collide, various scenariosare possible. In one scenario, as shown in FIG. 10A, the legacy controlchannels 1006 can be punctured with the control channels 902 for MTC toensure that communication of the MTC control channels takes precedenceover the legacy control channels 1006. In another scenario, as shown indiagram 1001 of FIG. 10B, the control channels 902 for MTC can bepunctured with the legacy control channels 1006 to ensure thatcommunication of the legacy control channels 1006 takes precedence overthe MTC control channels 902. In such a scenario, the control region 902for MTC can be fixed and, therefore, there may be no need for a primarycontrol format indicator channel (PCFICH). Moreover, PDCCH can be usedfor UL retransmission and, therefore, there may be no need for PHICH. Inother possible scenarios: neither channels 1006 nor 902 are puncturedsuch that UE implementation is relied upon to resolve conflicts (e.g.,interference cancelation); power can be different for the legacy controlchannels 1106 and MTC control channels 902, and can be adjusted eithersemi-statically, dynamically, etc. according to respective priorities;legacy control channels 1006 and MTC control channels can be operated astwo systems, where one can be barred based on bandwidth capability,carrier capability, MTC capability, or other capabilities; etc. Otherscenarios are possible; the foregoing list are examples of suchscenarios. In any case, it is to be appreciated that other data of thewireless network related to the wide system bandwidth can be scheduledaround MTC data and/or control channels outside of the legacy controlchannel region 1006.

FIG. 11 is a diagram 1100 illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidthallocation. In one example, as shown in FIG. 11, the narrow bandwidth1103 for MTC is multiplexed within a wide system bandwidth 1102 of acorresponding wireless network. For example, the narrow bandwidth 1103can be 1.25 MHz within the wide system bandwidth 1102 of 20 MHz. Thewide system bandwidth 1102 has a region 1106 reserved for legacy controlchannels of the wireless network related to the wide system bandwidth1102, such as in LTE. The wide system bandwidth 1102 also has a region1108 reserved for legacy data channels. As shown in FIG. 11, neitherchannels 1106 nor 902 are punctured such that UE implementation isrelied upon to resolve conflicts (e.g., interference cancelation).

With reference to FIG. 11, the narrow bandwidth 1103 for MTC can beallocated outside of the legacy control region 1106 to avoid interferingwith the legacy control region 1106. Other data communications in thewireless network related to the wide system bandwidth 1102 can bescheduled around the narrow bandwidth 1103 for MTC. For example, in LTE,the control region 1106 can occupy zero to three symbols. In oneexample, to accommodate MTC control data 902, the control region 1106 ina subframe where MTC data 904 is transmitted can be limited (e.g., toone data symbol), and MTC data 904 can start from the next (e.g., thesecond) symbol. In another example, the control region 1106 in asubframe where MTC data 904 is transmitted can be limited to two datasymbols, and MTC data 904 can start from the next (e.g., the third)symbol. It is to be appreciated that only certain subframes can beutilized for transmitting MTC in this regard, and the subframes can bedetermined based on a number of served MTC UEs (e.g., as compared to anumber of served non-MTC UEs). FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11, and 12 each show oneexample MTC allocation. However, it should be understood that multipleMTC allocations may be possible in a given subframe in addition to theexample allocations shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11, and 12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram 1200 illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidthallocation. FIG. 12 includes evolved physical downlink control channel(ePDCCH) 1201, PDSCH 1204 and legacy data channel 1206. In one example,as shown in FIG. 12, the narrow bandwidth 1203 for MTC is multiplexedwithin the wide system bandwidth 1202 where the wide system bandwidth1202 does not have a control region that spans the entire frequencyband. For example, as described further herein, new carrier types (NCTs)may be developed that define a downlink control region over a portion ofthe frequency band, such as ePDCCH 1201. Thus, MTC communications 902and 904 can be scheduled within a legacy data region 1206 of the widesystem bandwidth 1202 so as not to interfere with legacy NCT controlchannel communications.

A TDM partition of MTC users with other users will now be discussed. Forexample, FIG. 13 is a diagram 1300 illustrating subframes 1302 withoutnarrowband MTC and subframes 1304 with narrowband MTC. As shown in FIG.13, wideband operation only needs to have some subframes allocated toMTC depending on loading. Other subframes may have an adaptive controlregion. In FIG. 13, subframes 1302 may have any adaptive control regionlength while subframes 1304 can have fixed control channel length to oneor two, or RRC signaled to MTC. The subframes with MTC may have either afixed control region of one or two, or can change semi-statically by RRCor SIB signaling to MTC. In one example, if CRS is used for MTC, thenMBSFN should not be used for the subframes allocated for MTC devices

An FDM partition of MTC users within a subframe (SF) will now bediscussed. In one aspect, multiple narrowband for MTC can be allocatedwithin the subframe where MTC users are allowed as shown in FIG. 14.FIG. 14 is a diagram 1400 illustrating an MTC downlink bandwidthallocation. In FIG. 14, the narrow bandwidths 1405 and 1407 for MTC aremultiplexed within a wide system bandwidth 1402 of a correspondingwireless network. For example, the narrow bandwidths 1405 and 1407 caneach be 1.25 MHz within the wide system bandwidth 1402 of 20 MHz. Asshown in the configuration of FIG. 14, the narrow bandwidth 1405includes narrowband control channels 902 and narrowband data channels904 for MTC. As further shown in FIG. 14, the narrow bandwidth 1407includes narrowband control channels 1410 and narrowband data channels1412 for MTC. The wide system bandwidth 1402 includes a region 1406reserved for legacy control channels of the wireless network related tothe wide system bandwidth 1402, such as in LTE. The wide systembandwidth 1402 also includes a region 1408 reserved for legacy datachannels.

FIG. 15 is a diagram 1500 illustrating various example ePDCCH structuresassociated with an NCT. The ePDCCH structures shown in FIG. 15 aredepicted in an example portion of time over a portion of frequency,which may be a subframe. For example, a portion of initial resources inthe subframe can be reserved for a legacy control region 1502 forcommunicating control data to legacy devices, which can include PDCCH,PCFICH, PHICH, and/or similar channels. In LTE, the legacy controlregion 1502 can be a number of OFDM symbols, n, in the subframe where ncan be an integer between one and three. It is to be appreciated thatwhere ePDCCH is defined for an NCT, the legacy control region 1502 maynot be present (as previously discussed with reference to FIGS. 10A and10B). In any case, the remaining resources can include a data region1504 of the subframe. Thus, unlike legacy PDCCH, ePDCCH for an NCT canoccupy only the data region 1504.

In FIG. 15, five alternatives are depicted for defining an enhancedcontrol channel structure, though it is to be appreciated that otheralternatives are possible. For example, an enhanced control channelstructure can support increased control channel capacity, supportfrequency domain inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC), achieveimproved spatial reuse of control channel resources, support beamformingand/or diversity, operate on a new carrier type and in MBSFN subframes,coexist on the same carrier as legacy devices, etc.

In alternative 1 1506, the enhanced control channel structure can besimilar to relay-PDCCH (R-PDCCH), such that downlink grants are assignedover the control channel in at least a portion of frequency over a firstportion 1516 of region 1504, and uplink grants are assigned over thecontrol channel in the portion of frequency over a second portion 1518of the region 1504. In alternative 2 1508, the enhanced control channelstructure allows downlink and uplink grants to be assigned in a portionof frequency over a portion 1520 of the region 1504 spanning both thefirst and the second slots. In alternative 3 1510, the enhanced controlchannel structure allows downlink and uplink grants to be assigned overa portion of frequency using TDM in at least a portion 1522 of region1504. In alternative 4 1512, the enhanced control channel structureallows downlink and uplink grants to be assigned over the controlchannel in at least a portion of frequency over a first portion 1524 ofregion 1504, and uplink grants are assigned over the control channel inthe portion of frequency over a second portion 1526 of the region 1504.In alternative 5 1514, downlink grants can be assigned using TDM over atleast a portion 1528 of region 1504, while uplink grants can be assignedusing FDM in a different portion of frequency over a portion 1530 in theregion 1504.

Using one or more of the alternatives, it is to be appreciated that anenhanced control channel can allow assignment of resources using variousmultiplexing schemes for downlink and/or uplink assignments as comparedto conventional legacy control channel structures.

In one aspect, with reference to FIG. 7, the eNB 702 can select a singleone of the previously discussed transmission modes for transmitting allMTC. For example, the eNB 702 can determine to use TM2 with transmitdiversity for transmitting all MTC data. In another example, the eNB 702can select TM9 with beamforming and demodulation reference signal(DM-RS)-based demodulation for the MTC data. In this example, the eNB702 can transmit physical broadcast channel (PBCH), SIB, and PDSCHcommunications using TM9, along with a DM-RS for demodulating thecommunications. Moreover, in this example, the eNB 702 can transmit adefined RACH sequence to MTC UE 704 to utilize in requesting access overthe RACH. In this example, MTC UE 704 can use the sequence, and the eNB702 can accordingly select TM9 for the RACH procedure with MTC UE 704based on receiving the defined sequence therefrom (e.g., in message 1 ofthe RACH procedure).

In another example, the eNB 702 can specify a new transmission mode(e.g., transmission mode 11) for communicating MTC. For example, thisnew transmission mode can utilize space frequency block code (SFBC) fortransmitting master information block (MIB)/SIB and the RACH procedure,while using single layer beamforming for other transmissions in MTC. Inthis example, the eNB 702 can select this mode for MTC withoutswitching, as described above with respect to TM2 or TM9. Moreover, theeNB 702 can use and advertise one downlink control information (DCI)format for MTC, which can be the same as DCI format 1a in LTE or a newDCI format.

In an aspect, the eNB 702 can generate a single reference signal (RS)for demodulating MTC data to reduce complexity of MTC implementation.For example, the RS can be a CRS. In one configuration, this can becombined with an SFBC TM, as previously described. Where CRS is used,however, the eNB 702 can refrain from using MBSFN. In another example,the RS can be a DM-RS, which can result in redesign of PBCH/SIB tosupport DM-RS. In addition, this can be combined with a TM9, describedabove.

The eNB 702 can create the MTC control data for transmitting over one ormore logical MTC control channels. This can include generating one ormore MIBs, SIBs, other PBCH communications, RACH messages, etc. Inaddition, because the MTC does not require as much information, asdescribed, the generated MTC control data can utilize a differentstructure as other control data transmitted in the wireless network. Forexample, in LTE, an MIB typically includes bandwidth information, whichmay not be needed for MTC because the narrow bandwidth can be known bythe eNB 702 and corresponding UEs, a PHICH, which may not be needed if afixed control region is assumed for a PBCH structure, a system framenumber (SFN) and antenna information, which can be signaled later, etc.Thus, the eNB 702 can generate a MIB without such information toconserve signaling, conserve processing, and reduce complexity at theMTC UE 704. Such a MIB with a portion of values used in the wirelessnetwork is referred to herein as a reduced MIB.

In another example, the eNB 702 can generate a combined MIB and SIB(e.g., the reduced MIB combined with SIB1) for communicating to the MTCUE 704. Moreover, for example, the eNB 702 can use a cyclic redundancycheck (CRC) scrambling of the MIB or combined MIB/SIB to conveyinformation left out of the reduced MIB, such as antenna information(e.g., based on mapping the scrambling code to corresponding antennainformation). In yet another example, the eNB 702 can generate one ormore SIBs that include a resource location (e.g., symbol and/orsubcarrier in the symbol) and MCS for a next SIB to minimize controlsignaling.

In any case, for example, the eNB 702 can generate a MIB (e.g., reducedMIB), MIB/SIB combination, etc. with a demodulation reference signal(DM-RS) for demodulating the MIB, MIB/SIB, etc. In this regard, asdescribed, the eNB 702 can transmit the MIB, MIB/SIB, etc., along withthe DM-RS, using single layer beamforming (e.g., instead of transmittingusing SFBC-based on CRS for demodulation). In another example, the eNB702 can generate the MIB, MIB/SIB, etc. to transmit in a fixed locationalong with the DM-RS, and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The eNB702 can use an ePDCCH-like structure in this example, as describedfurther herein.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart 1600 of a method for multiplexing MTC withlegacy channels. The method may be performed by an eNB. At step 1602,the eNB allocates a narrow bandwidth within a wide system bandwidth forcommunicating data related to MTC. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A,10B, 11, and 12, the eNB may allocate a narrow bandwidth (e.g., narrowbandwidth 1003 in FIGS. 10A and 10B) for MTC within a wide systembandwidth (e.g., wide bandwidth 1002 in FIGS. 10A and 10B). In anaspect, with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the narrow bandwidth 1003for MTC may be allocated to overlap legacy control resources in the widesystem bandwidth. In another aspect, with reference to FIG. 11, thenarrow bandwidth 1103 may be allocated to be adjacent to legacy controlresources. In such aspect, the size of the legacy control region 1106can be limited in subframes for MTC. In another aspect, with referenceto FIG. 12, the narrow bandwidth 1203 may be separated from legacycontrol resources, etc.

At step 1604, the eNB may generate MTC control data for communicatingover one or more MTC control channels for an MTC UE within the narrowbandwidth. The MTC control data can be generated as a reduced MIB, acombined MIB/SIB, and/or the like, as described herein. The MTC controldata can also include RACH information or procedures, other PBCHtransmissions or downlink control transmissions, and/or the like. TheMTC control data can be generated to conserve signaling and/or mitigatecomplexity in MTC UE implementation.

At step 1606, the eNB may transmit the one or more MTC control channelsmultiplexed with one or more legacy channels over the wide systembandwidth. In one example, with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, wherethe MTC control channels overlap the legacy channels (e.g., legacycontrol channels), the MTC control channels can be punctured in thelegacy channels and/or vice versa, depending on which channels arepreferred. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the legacy controlchannels 1006 can be punctured with the control channels 902 for MTC toensure that communication of the MTC control channels takes precedenceover the legacy control channels 1006. As another example, as shown inFIG. 10B, the control channels 902 for MTC can be punctured with thelegacy control channels 1006 to ensure that communication of the legacycontrol channels 1006 takes precedence over the MTC control channels902. In other examples, the MTC control channels can be multiplexed inorder to avoid conflict with the legacy channels, if possible. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 11, the eNB may shift, in time, at leastone of the one or more MTC control channels 902 in the wide systembandwidth or at least one of the one or more legacy channels 1106 thatoverlap the at least one MTC control channel. As another example, theeNB may shift, in frequency, at least one of the one or more MTC controlchannels in the wide system bandwidth or at least one of the one or morelegacy channels that overlap the at least one MTC control channel.

For example, MTC UE 704 may receive the one or more MTC control channelsmultiplexed with one or more legacy channels over the wide systembandwidth. The MTC UE 704 may decode the MTC control channels andoptionally refrain from decoding the legacy channels. The MTC UE 704 mayuse information from the decoded MTC control channel for subsequentcommunication. In another embodiment, an apparatus, such as non-MTC UE706, may receive the one or more MTC control channels multiplexed withone or more legacy channels over the wide system bandwidth. The non-MTCUE 706 may decode the legacy channels and optionally refrain fromdecoding the MTC control channels.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a flow chart 1700 of a method for providing MTC ina wireless network. The method may be performed by an eNB. At step 1702,the eNB allocates a narrow bandwidth within a wide system bandwidth forcommunicating data related to MTC. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A,10B, 11, and 12, the eNB may allocate a narrow bandwidth (e.g., narrowbandwidth 1003 in FIGS. 10A and 10B) for MTC within a wide systembandwidth (e.g., wide bandwidth 1002 in FIGS. 10A and 10B). In anaspect, with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the narrow bandwidth 1003for MTC may be allocated to overlap legacy control resources in the widesystem bandwidth. In another aspect, with reference to FIG. 11, thenarrow bandwidth 1103 may be allocated to be adjacent to legacy controlresources. In such aspect, the size of the legacy control region 1106can be limited in subframes for MTC. In another aspect, with referenceto FIG. 12, the narrow bandwidth 1203 may be separated from legacycontrol resources, etc.

At step 1704, the eNB may generate MTC control data for communicatingover one or more MTC control channels for an MTC UE within the narrowbandwidth. The MTC control data can be generated as a reduced MIB, acombined MIB/SIB, and/or the like, as described herein. The MTC controldata can also include RACH information or procedures, other PBCHtransmissions or downlink control transmissions, and/or the like. TheMTC control data can be generated to conserve signaling and/or mitigatecomplexity in MTC UE implementation.

At step 1706, the eNB may determine a current subframe for transmittingMTC.

At step 1708, the eNB may limit a legacy control region of the widesystem bandwidth to a number of symbols preceding the symbols based onthe determination of the current subframe for transmitting MTC. The MTCcontrol channel may span symbols in a legacy data region of the widesystem bandwidth and the eNB may determine a current subframe fortransmitting MTC.

At step 1710, the eNB may puncture at least one of the one or morelegacy channels in the wide system bandwidth with at least one of theone or more MTC control channels, where the at least one legacy channelis a legacy control channel that overlaps symbols with the at least oneMTC control channel in the wide system bandwidth. For example, as shownin FIG. 10A, the legacy control channels 1006 can be punctured with thecontrol channels 902 for MTC to ensure that communication of the MTCcontrol channels takes precedence over the legacy control channels 1006.

At step 1712, the eNB may puncture at least one of the one or more MTCcontrol channels in the wide system bandwidth with at least one of theone or more legacy channels, where the at least one legacy channel is alegacy control channel that overlaps symbols with the at least one MTCcontrol channel in the wide system bandwidth. For example, as shown inFIG. 10B, the control channels 902 for MTC can be punctured with thelegacy control channels 1006 to ensure that communication of the legacycontrol channels 1006 takes precedence over the MTC control channels902.

At step 1714, the eNB may shift, in frequency, at least one of the oneor more MTC control channels in the wide system bandwidth or at leastone of the one or more legacy channels that overlap the at least one MTCcontrol channel.

At step 1716, the eNB may shift, in time, at least one of the one ormore MTC control channels in the wide system bandwidth or at least oneof the one or more legacy channels that overlap the at least one MTCcontrol channel. For example, with reference to FIG. 11, the eNB mayshift, in time, at least one of the one or more MTC control channels 902in the wide system bandwidth or at least one of the one or more legacychannels 1106 that overlap the at least one MTC control channel.

At step, 1718, the eNB may indicate a barred frequency bandwidth fornon-MTC UEs in a system information block. For example, the eNB mayindicate a barred frequency bandwidth for non-MTC UEs in a systeminformation block over at least one of the one or more MTC controlchannels.

At step 1720, the eNB may include an MTC indicator bit in a systeminformation block. In an aspect, the MTC indicator bit may indicate abarred frequency bandwidth for non-MTC UEs. In one example, the eNB mayinclude an MTC indicator bit in a system information block over at leastone of the one or more MTC control channels

At step 1722, the eNB may transmit the one or more MTC control channelsmultiplexed with one or more legacy channels over the wide systembandwidth.

For example, the MTC UE 704 may receive the one or more MTC controlchannels multiplexed with one or more legacy channels over the widesystem bandwidth. The MTC UE 704 may decode the MTC control channels andoptionally refrain from decoding the legacy channels. The MTC UE 704 mayuse information from the decoded MTC control channel for subsequentcommunication. In another embodiment, an apparatus, such as non-MTC UE706, may receive the one or more MTC control channels multiplexed withone or more legacy channels over the wide system bandwidth. The non-MTCUE 706 may decode the legacy channels and optionally refrain fromdecoding the MTC control channels.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart 1800 of a method for providingmachine-type-communication (MTC) in a wireless network. The method maybe performed by an eNB. At step 1802, the eNB supports a plurality oftransmission modes for communicating in the wireless network. Forexample, the transmission modes can include at least a portion of theten transmission modes of LTE as previously described, a newtransmission mode that combines SFBC and beamforming described above,and/or the like.

At step 1804, the eNB utilizes a single transmission mode from theplurality of transmission modes for all MTC in the wireless network. Thetransmission mode may be TM2, TM9, or a combined transmission mode thatsupports SFBC for some control channels (e.g., MIB/SIB and RACHprocedure) while supporting single layer beamforming for other channels.

For example, with reference to FIG. 7, the eNB 702 may sendtransmissions to the MTC UE 704. The MTC UE 704 may receivetransmissions according to the one of the plurality of transmissionmodes utilized by the eNB 702 for all MTC in the wireless network.Information from the received transmissions is used for subsequentcommunication. The single transmission mode can be TM2, TM9, or acombined transmission mode that supports SFBC for some control channels(e.g., MIB/SIB and RACH procedure) while supporting single layerbeamforming for other channels. In one embodiment, the MTC UE 704 doesnot support transmission modes other than the one utilized by the eNB702 for all MTC in the wireless network.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart 1900 of a method for providing MTC in a wirelessnetwork. The method may be performed by an eNB.

At step 1902, the eNB generates a reduced MIB optimized for MTC. Thisreduced MIB can include a portion of data of a MIB in a correspondingwireless network. The reduced MIB can be combined with a SIB, in oneexample. The reduced SIB can additionally include information to locateand demodulate a subsequent SIB. For example, the reduced MIB mayinclude a SIB that indicates a resource location and a modulation andcoding scheme of a next SIB.

At step 1904, the eNB transmits the reduced MIB over allocated MTCresources. In one aspect, the MTC resources may be MTC controlresources. This can include transmitting a DM-RS with the MIB (orotherwise associated with the MIB) to facilitate demodulation thereof.In one aspect, an MCS can be included as well. For example, the eNB maytransmit the reduced MIB in a fixed location, where the MIB includes ademodulation reference signal and an MCS. In one example, the MCS may befixed. Moreover, a CRC or other aspect of the MIB transmission can bemodified to indicate further information, such as antenna information,as described.

For example, with reference to FIG. 7, the eNB 702 may transmit thereduced MIB and the MTC UE 704 may receive the reduced MIB. The MTC UE704 may decode the reduced MIB and use the information from the reducedMIB for subsequent communication.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart 2000 of a method for providing MTC in a wirelessnetwork. The method may be performed by an MTC UE or a non-MTC UE.

At step 2002, the MTC UE receives an SIB that includes MTC informationfrom an eNB. For example, the MTC information can include frequenciesallowed or barred from MTC or non-MTC communications. In anotherexample, the MTC information can include a bit that specifies whetherrelated control data relates to MTC.

At step 2004, the MTC UE determines whether to access the eNB based inpart on the MTC information and an intended system type. For example,where the MTC information specifies allowed or barred frequencies, itcan be determined whether the frequencies correspond to a system typeintended for accessing, and thus if the frequency is allowed or notbarred for the system type, an access attempt can be made to the eNB.Similarly, where the MTC information is a bit indicating MTC, if MTC isthe intended system type, an access attempt can be made to the eNB.

For example, with reference to FIG. 7, the eNB 702 can communicate theSIB that includes the MTC information to the MTC UE 704. The MTC UE 704may then determine whether to access the eNB 702 based in part on theMTC information and an intended system type.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual data flow diagram 2100 illustrating the dataflow between different modules/means/components in an exemplaryapparatus 2102. The apparatus 2102 can be a node, such as an eNB. Theapparatus includes an allocating module 2103 that allocates a narrowbandwidth within a wide system bandwidth for communicating data relatedto MTC, an MTC control data generating module 2104 that generates MTCcontrol data for communicating over one or more MTC control channels foran MTC UE within the narrow bandwidth, a multiplexing module 2106 thatpunctures at least one of the one or more legacy channels in the widesystem bandwidth with at least one of the one or more MTC controlchannels, punctures at least one of the one or more MTC control channelsin the wide system bandwidth with at least one of the one or more legacychannels, shifts, in frequency, at least one of the one or more MTCcontrol channels in the wide system bandwidth or at least one of the oneor more legacy channels that overlap the at least one MTC controlchannel, and shifts, in time, at least one of the one or more MTCcontrol channels in the wide system bandwidth or at least one of the oneor more legacy channels that overlap the at least one MTC controlchannel. The apparatus further includes a transmitting module 2108 thattransmits signals that include MTC control data or other data (e.g., inone or more logical channels), transmits the one or more MTC controlchannels multiplexed with one or more legacy channels over the widesystem bandwidth, and determines a current subframe for transmittingMTC. The apparatus further includes an access module 2110 that controlsaccess to one or more systems operated by the eNB by indicating a barredfrequency bandwidth for non-MTC UEs in a system information block overat least one of the one or more MTC control channels and/or by includingan MTC indicator bit in a system information block over at least one ofthe one or more MTC control channels, and a transmission modedetermining module 2112 that selects or otherwise utilizes atransmission mode defined in the wireless network for transmitting theMTC data. In one example, transmission mode determining module 2112 canselect a single transmission mode from the previously discussedtransmission modes for transmitting all MTC. In another example,transmission mode determining module 2112 can select TM9 withbeamforming and DM-RS-based demodulation for the MTC data. In anotherexample, transmission mode determining module 2112 can specify a newtransmission mode (e.g., transmission mode 11) for communicating MTC.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of thesteps of the algorithm in the aforementioned flow charts of FIGS. 16,17A, 17B, 18, and 19. As such, each step in the aforementioned flowcharts of FIGS. 16, 17A, 17B, 18, and 19 may be performed by a moduleand the apparatus may include one or more of those modules. The modulesmay be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carryout the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processorconfigured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within acomputer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or somecombination thereof.

Example implementations will now be described with respect to theapparatus 2102. According to an example, transmitting module 2108 cantransmit MTC data in standalone resources dedicated for MTC. Thestandalone resources can relate to existing supported resources in awireless network for such transmissions, such as 5 MHz or 1.4 MHz inLTE. In some examples, however, multiplexing module 2106 can multiplexthe MTC data in a narrow bandwidth portion of the wide system bandwidth,as described in FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11, and 12. Multiplexing module 2106 canaccomplish the multiplexing using an overloaded control channel design.For example, multiplexing module 2106 can multiplex obtained MTC controldata (e.g., from MTC control data generating module 2104) in a controlregion of the wireless network related to the wide system bandwidthwhere the control region occupies the entire system band over one ormore symbols.

Where the multiplexed MTC control data collides with other control datain the region, in one example the multiplexing module 2106 can eitherpuncture the MTC control data in the control region to ensuretransmission thereof, or puncture the other control data in the MTCregion that overlaps the control region of the wide system bandwidth, asdescribed in FIG. 10A. In addition, it is to be appreciated that thepuncturing can be different over different subframes and/or can beperformed on a per channel basis. Moreover, in one example, theoverlapped region can include a control region for the legacy controldata and the MTC control data.

In other examples where the multiplexed MTC control data collides withother control data in the region, multiplexing module 2106 can transmitboth control data channels without puncturing. In this example, a UE,such as MTC UE 704, can perform interference cancelation or othertechniques to distinguish the MTC control data from the other controldata and/or vice versa. For example, transmitting module 2108 can setdifferent transmit powers for the MTC control data (e.g., narrowbandwidth control) and the other control data (e.g., wide systembandwidth control) in the overlapped region where the control datacollides. For example, transmitting module 2108 can determine suchtransmit powers based on respective priorities of the control data. Thiscan be done statically, semi-statically, dynamically, etc. In anadditional or alternative example where the control data collides,apparatus 2102 can operate the MTC control data and other control dataas two separate systems, and can bar UEs, such as MTC UE 704 fromaccessing one or the other system, as described in further detail below.In any case, multiplexing module 2106 can multiplex the MTC control datawith the other control data by completely overloading with no shifting.In this example, multiplexing module 2106 can multiplex certain channelsof the MTC control data without corresponding channels of the othercontrol data or vice versa, such as primary synchronization signal(PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), PBCH, etc., whiletransmitting both versions of other control channels, such as PDCCH. Itmay be possible, however, to transmit both PBCH of the MTC controlchannels and other control channels using a one set of physical hybridautomatic repeat/request (HARQ) indicator channel (PHICH) indicators forboth channels, or two sets of PHICH indicators. Furthermore, in thisexample, transmitting module 2108 can configure antennas (not shown) ofapparatus 2102 to use either the same antenna configuration for bothPBCH of the MTC control channels and other control channels orseparately signal antenna configuration for the MTC control channels. Inother examples, multiplexing module 2106 can multiplex the MTC controldata with the other control data by shifting in frequency or over timeso at least a portion of the control data does not collide (e.g., PSS,SSS, PBCH, etc.).

Where apparatus 2102 operates the MTC control data and other controldata as two separate systems, as described above, access module 2110 canprovide one or more mechanisms for indicating the appropriate system toone or more UEs, such as MTC UE 704 or non-MTC UE 706. In one example,access module 2110 can bar a UE from using a certain bandwidth based onthe type of UE or requested communication. For example, MTC UE 704 canrequest connection establishment from apparatus 2102, and access module2110 can determine whether to allow MTC UE 704 access using anassociated bandwidth. For example, where the request relates to a largerbandwidth than utilized for MTC (e.g., a request for 20 MHz, whereapparatus uses an MTC bandwidth of 1.4 MHz), access module 2110 can denyaccess to MTC UE 704. Similarly, where the non-MTC UE 706 requests 1.4MHz bandwidth, access module 2110 can bar the non-MTC UE 706 fromaccessing apparatus 2102 using the requested bandwidth.

In one example, access module 2110 can indicate barring information overa SIB broadcasted for the given system (e.g., using MTC control datagenerating module 2104 to generate the SIB for MTC, or other modules forgenerating the SIB for other non-MTC control channels). Thus, forexample, MTC UE 704 and a non-MTC UE 706 can receive a SIB related toMTC, which can indicate that certain bandwidths are allowed or barredfor MTC. Thus, an access determining module (e.g., determining module2306 in FIG. 23) of the MTC UE 704 and an access determining module ofnon-MTC UE 706 can obtain the SIB and determine whether a requestedbandwidth is allowed for the given system, and the MTC UE 704 and thenon-MTC UE 706 can determine whether to access the system based on theSIB information. Similarly, the MTC UE 704 and the non-MTC UE 706 canreceive the SIBs related to other control channels and can similarlydetermine whether to access the related system based on the indicatedbarred or allowed bandwidths.

In another example where apparatus 2102 operates the MTC control dataand other control data as two separate systems, access module 2110 cansignal a bit indicating whether a given system is MTC; the bit can besignaled in PBCH or other control channels. Thus, upon receiving PBCH,the access determining module of the MTC UE 704 or the non-MTC UE 706can determine whether the bit is set and whether the MTC UE 704 ornon-MTC UE 706, respectively, intends to access the system indicated bythe bit. If the bit is inconsistent with the intended system type, theaccess determining module of the MTC UE 704 or the access determiningmodule of the non-MTC UE 706 can determine to not attempt access. It isto be appreciated that non-MTC UE 706 may not use the bit or have anaccess determining module, but may request access to both systems, anduse whichever is allowed, for example. Moreover, in an example, wheremultiplexing module 2106 multiplexes PBCH or SIB for each system, toavoid a UE getting into the 1.4 MHz, the access determining module ofMTC UE 704 can ignore barring indicated in SIB (or not include an accessdetermining module at all) since it uses the 1.4 MHz, but the accessdetermining module of the non-MTC UE 706 may determine not to accessapparatus 2102 because of the barring indicated in SIB. In SIB, forexample, there can be two stages of bandwidth or barred bandwidthindication for MTC. The first SIB can be for all UEs; the MTC UE 704 canignore barring information in this SIB and can obtain a SIB related toMTC to determine whether it is barred.

It is to be appreciated that the foregoing can be applied toconfigurations for jointly operating regular systems (e.g., wide systembandwidth) and MTC systems (e.g., narrow bandwidth), but also to jointlyoperating legacy carrier type operations and new carrier types as well.

In another example, where a control region defined in the wide systembandwidth occupies the entire system band in one or more symbols,multiplexing module 2106 can multiplex the MTC control data outside ofthe control region. For instance, where the control region for thewireless network occupies symbols 0 through N, where N is a positiveinteger, multiplexing module 2106 can multiplex the MTC control data(and/or other data) starting at symbol N+1, as shown in FIG. 11. In someexamples, for subframes where MTC occurs, multiplexing module 2106 canlimit the control region for the wireless network (e.g., to 1 or 2symbols) to mitigate impact on MTC caused by starting at symbol N+1,which is the symbol following the last symbol in the control region.

In addition, for example, it is to be appreciated that apparatus 2102can transmit MTC data only in certain subframes (e.g., every 1 out of Msubframes, where M is a positive integer), depending on a number ofserved MTC UEs, a number of served MTC UEs as compared to a number ofserved non-MTC UEs, etc. The other subframes can use adaptive controlregion, as defined in LTE, for example. Moreover, for example, thenumber of subframes for MTC can be modified based on a change in thenumber of MTC UEs. In the subframes for MTC, the number of symbolsreserved for the legacy control region can be fixed (e.g., hardcoded orconfigured in apparatus 2102 and MTC UE 704), signaled from apparatus2102 to the MTC UE 704, and/or the like. Furthermore, subframes used forMTC can be signaled from apparatus 2102 to MTC UE 704, in one example.

In yet another example, where the control region defined in the widesystem bandwidth does not occupy the entire frequency band over any ofthe symbols, multiplexing module 2106 can multiplex the MTC control datain another portion of the bandwidth over a subframe. Thus, collisionwith the control region of the wide system bandwidth can be avoided, asshown in FIG. 12.

Moreover, the wireless network related to the wide system bandwidth canoffer multiple transmission modes for utilizing in transmitting data,and in one example, transmission mode determining module 2112 candetermine one of the available modes to utilize at transmitting module2108 for transmitting the MTC data. For example, because data raterequirement for MTC UE 704 is limited, transmission mode determiningmodule 2112 can limit selection to those TMs without support of spatialmultiplexing.

FIG. 22 is a diagram 2200 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 2102′ employing a processing system2214. The processing system 2214 may be implemented with a busarchitecture, represented generally by the bus 2224. The bus 2224 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on thespecific application of the processing system 2214 and the overalldesign constraints. The bus 2224 links together various circuitsincluding one or more processors and/or hardware modules, represented bythe processor 2204, the modules 2103, 2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, and 2112,and the computer-readable medium 2206. The bus 2224 may also linkvarious other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltageregulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in theart, and therefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 2214 may be coupled to a transceiver 2210. Thetransceiver 2210 is coupled to one or more antennas 2220. Thetransceiver 2210 provides a means for communicating with various otherapparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 2210 receives asignal from the one or more antennas 2220, extracts information from thereceived signal, and provides the extracted information to theprocessing system 2214. In addition, the transceiver 2210 receivesinformation from the processing system 2214, specifically thetransmission module 2108, and based on the received information,generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 2220. Theprocessing system 2214 includes a processor 2204 coupled to acomputer-readable medium 2206. The processor 2204 is responsible forgeneral processing, including the execution of software stored on thecomputer-readable medium 2206. The software, when executed by theprocessor 2204, causes the processing system 2214 to perform the variousfunctions described supra for any particular apparatus. Thecomputer-readable medium 2206 may also be used for storing data that ismanipulated by the processor 2204 when executing software. Theprocessing system further includes at least one of the modules 2103,2104, 2106, 2108, 2110, and 2112. The modules may be software modulesrunning in the processor 2204, resident/stored in the computer readablemedium 2206, one or more hardware modules coupled to the processor 2204,or some combination thereof. The processing system 2214 may be acomponent of the eNB 610 and may include the memory 676 and/or at leastone of the TX processor 616, the RX processor 670, and thecontroller/processor 675.

In one configuration, the apparatus 2102/2102′ for wirelesscommunication includes means for allocating a narrow bandwidth within awide system bandwidth for communicating data related to MTC, means forgenerating MTC control data for communicating over one or more MTCcontrol channels for an MTC UE within the narrow bandwidth, means fortransmitting the one or more MTC control channels multiplexed with oneor more legacy channels over the wide system bandwidth, means forpuncturing at least one of the one or more legacy channels in the widesystem bandwidth with at least one of the one or more MTC controlchannels, means for puncturing at least one of the one or more MTCcontrol channels in the wide system bandwidth with at least one of theone or more legacy channels, means for shifting, in frequency, at leastone of the one or more MTC control channels in the wide system bandwidthor at least one of the one or more legacy channels that overlap the atleast one MTC control channel, means for shifting, in time, at least oneof the one or more MTC control channels in the wide system bandwidth orat least one of the one or more legacy channels that overlap the atleast one MTC control channel, means for indicating a barred frequencybandwidth for non-MTC UEs in a system information block over at leastone of the one or more MTC control channels, means for including an MTCindicator bit in a system information block over at least one of the oneor more MTC control channels, means for determining a current subframefor transmitting MTC, means for limiting a legacy control region of thewide system bandwidth to a number of symbols preceding the symbols basedon determining the current subframe for transmitting MTC, means forsupporting a plurality of transmission modes for communicating in thewireless network, means for utilizing a single transmission mode fromthe plurality of transmission modes for all MTC in the wireless network,means for generating a reduced master information block (MIB) optimizedfor MTC, and means for transmitting the reduced MIB over allocated MTCcontrol resources. The aforementioned means may be one or more of theaforementioned modules of the apparatus 2102 and/or the processingsystem 2214 of the apparatus 2102′ configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the processingsystem 2214 may include the TX Processor 616, the RX Processor 670, andthe controller/processor 675. As such, in one configuration, theaforementioned means may be the TX Processor 616, the RX Processor 670,and the controller/processor 675 configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means.

FIG. 23 is a conceptual data flow diagram 2300 illustrating the dataflow between different modules/means/components in an exemplaryapparatus 2302. The apparatus may be an MTC UE. The apparatus includes areceiving module 2304 that receives a SIB that comprises MTC informationfrom an eNB (e.g., eNB 702), a determining module 2306 determineswhether to access the eNB based in part on the MTC information and anintended system type, and a transmitting module 2308 for sendingtransmissions to the eNB 702.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of thesteps of the algorithm in the aforementioned flow chart of FIG. 20. Assuch, each step in the aforementioned flow chart of FIG. 20 may beperformed by a module and the apparatus may include one or more of thosemodules. The modules may be one or more hardware components specificallyconfigured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by aprocessor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, storedwithin a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, orsome combination thereof.

FIG. 24 is a diagram 2400 illustrating an example of a hardwareimplementation for an apparatus 2302′ employing a processing system2414. The processing system 2414 may be implemented with a busarchitecture, represented generally by the bus 2424. The bus 2424 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on thespecific application of the processing system 2414 and the overalldesign constraints. The bus 2424 links together various circuitsincluding one or more processors and/or hardware modules, represented bythe processor 2404, the modules 2304, 2306, 2308, and thecomputer-readable medium 2406. The bus 2424 may also link various othercircuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, andpower management circuits, which are well known in the art, andtherefore, will not be described any further.

The processing system 2414 may be coupled to a transceiver 2410. Thetransceiver 2410 is coupled to one or more antennas 2420. Thetransceiver 2410 provides a means for communicating with various otherapparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 2410 receives asignal from the one or more antennas 2420, extracts information from thereceived signal, and provides the extracted information to theprocessing system 2414, specifically the receiving module 2304. Inaddition, the transceiver 2410 receives information from the processingsystem 2414, specifically the transmission module 2308, and based on thereceived information, generates a signal to be applied to the one ormore antennas 2420. The processing system 2414 includes a processor 2404coupled to a computer-readable medium 2406. The processor 2404 isresponsible for general processing, including the execution of softwarestored on the computer-readable medium 2406. The software, when executedby the processor 2404, causes the processing system 2414 to perform thevarious functions described supra for any particular apparatus. Thecomputer-readable medium 2406 may also be used for storing data that ismanipulated by the processor 2404 when executing software. Theprocessing system further includes at least one of the modules 2304,2306, 2308. The modules may be software modules running in the processor2304, resident/stored in the computer readable medium 2406, one or morehardware modules coupled to the processor 2404, or some combinationthereof. The processing system 2414 may be a component of the UE 650 andmay include the memory 660 and/or at least one of the TX processor 668,the RX processor 656, and the controller/processor 659.

In one configuration, the apparatus 2302/2302′ for wirelesscommunication includes means for means for receiving a SIB thatcomprises MTC information from an eNB, and means for determining whetherto access the eNB based in part on the MTC information and an intendedsystem type. The aforementioned means may be one or more of theaforementioned modules of the apparatus 2302 and/or the processingsystem 2414 of the apparatus 2302′ configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means. As described supra, the processingsystem 2414 may include the TX Processor 668, the RX Processor 656, andthe controller/processor 659. As such, in one configuration, theaforementioned means may be the TX Processor 668, the RX Processor 656,and the controller/processor 659 configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in theprocesses disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Basedupon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order orhierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged. Further, somesteps may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims presentelements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to belimited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Combinations such as“at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B,C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and/orC, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C.Specifically, combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “atleast one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” maybe A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C,where any such combinations may contain one or more member or members ofA, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements ofthe various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are knownor later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein isintended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether suchdisclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is tobe construed as a means plus function unless the element is expresslyrecited using the phrase “means for.”

The techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA and othersystems. The terms “system” and “network” are often usedinterchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such asUniversal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), cdma2000, etc. UTRA includesTime Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA),Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other variants of CDMA. Further, cdma2000covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. A TDMA system may implementa radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM). An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as EvolvedUTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM®, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are partof Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long TermEvolution (LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA, which employsOFDMA on the downlink and SC-FDMA on the uplink. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS,TD-SCDMA, LTE and GSM are described in documents from an organizationnamed “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP). Additionally,cdma2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named“3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). Further, such wirelesscommunication systems may additionally include peer-to-peer (e.g.,mobile-to-mobile) ad hoc network systems often using unpaired unlicensedspectrums, 802.xx wireless LAN, BLUETOOTH and any other short- orlong-range, wireless communication techniques.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of machine-type-communication (MTC),comprising: receiving one or more MTC control channels multiplexed withone or more legacy channels over a wide system bandwidth; decoding atleast one of the MTC control channels or the legacy channels; andutilizing information from the at least one of the decoded MTC controlchannels or the decoded legacy channels for subsequent communication. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein decoding the at least one of the MTCcontrol channels or the legacy channels includes: decoding the one ormore MTC control channels; and refraining from decoding the legacychannels.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the legacy channels arepunctured with the one or more MTC control channels such thatcommunication of the one or more MTC control channels takes precedenceover the legacy channels.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein decoding theat least one of the MTC control channels or the legacy channelsincludes: decoding the legacy channels; and refraining from decoding theone or more MTC control channels.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theone or more MTC control channels are punctured with the legacy channelssuch that communication of the legacy channels takes precedence over theone or more MTC control channels.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein anarrow bandwidth is allocated within the wide system bandwidth for MTCcommunication.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more MTCcontrol channels are multiplexed within a narrow bandwidth.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the one or more MTC control channels spansymbols in a legacy data region of the wide system bandwidth.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the one or more MTC control channels begin ata symbol following a last symbol in a number of symbols for a legacycontrol region of the legacy channels.
 10. An apparatus formachine-type-communication (MTC), comprising: means for receiving one ormore MTC control channels multiplexed with one or more legacy channelsover a wide system bandwidth; means for decoding at least one of the MTCcontrol channels or the legacy channels; and means for utilizinginformation from the at least one of the decoded MTC control channels orthe decoded legacy channels for subsequent communication.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for decoding the at least oneof the MTC control channels or the legacy channels includes: means fordecoding the one or more MTC control channels; and means for refrainingfrom decoding the legacy channels.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the legacy channels are punctured with the one or more MTCcontrol channels such that communication of the one or more MTC controlchannels takes precedence over the legacy channels.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the means for decoding the at least one of the MTCcontrol channels or the legacy channels includes: means for decoding thelegacy channels; and means for refraining from decoding the one or moreMTC control channels.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one ormore MTC control channels are punctured with the legacy channels suchthat communication of the legacy channels takes precedence over the oneor more MTC control channels.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein anarrow bandwidth is allocated within the wide system bandwidth for MTCcommunication.
 16. An apparatus for machine-type-communication (MTC),comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memoryand configured to: receive one or more MTC control channels multiplexedwith one or more legacy channels over a wide system bandwidth; decode atleast one of the MTC control channels or the legacy channels; andutilize information from the at least one of the decoded MTC controlchannels or the decoded legacy channels for subsequent communication.17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein to decode the at least one of theMTC control channels or the legacy channels, the at least one processoris further configured to: decode the one or more MTC control channels;and refrain from decoding the legacy channels.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the legacy channels are punctured with the one or moreMTC control channels such that communication of the one or more MTCcontrol channels takes precedence over the legacy channels.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein to decode the at least one of the MTCcontrol channels or the legacy channels, the at least one processor isfurther configured to: decode the legacy channels; and refrain fromdecoding the one or more MTC control channels.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the one or more MTC control channels are puncturedwith the legacy channels such that communication of the legacy channelstakes precedence over the one or more MTC control channels.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein a narrow bandwidth is allocated withinthe wide system bandwidth for MTC communication.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the one or more MTC control channels are multiplexedwithin a narrow bandwidth.
 23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein theone or more MTC control channels span symbols in a legacy data region ofthe wide system bandwidth.
 24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein theone or more MTC control channels begin at a symbol following a lastsymbol in a number of symbols for a legacy control region of the legacychannels.
 25. A computer-readable medium storing computer executablecode for machine-type-communication (MTC), comprising code for:receiving one or more MTC control channels multiplexed with one or morelegacy channels over a wide system bandwidth; decoding at least one ofthe MTC control channels or the legacy channels; and utilizinginformation from the at least one of the decoded MTC control channels orthe decoded legacy channels for subsequent communication.
 26. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the code for decoding theat least one of the MTC control channels or the legacy channels includescode for: decoding the one or more MTC control channels; and refrainingfrom decoding the legacy channels.
 27. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 26, wherein the legacy channels are punctured with the one or moreMTC control channels such that communication of the one or more MTCcontrol channels takes precedence over the legacy channels.
 28. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the code for decoding theat least one of the MTC control channels or the legacy channels includescode for: decoding the legacy channels; and refraining from decoding theone or more MTC control channels.
 29. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 28, wherein the one or more MTC control channels are puncturedwith the legacy channels such that communication of the legacy channelstakes precedence over the one or more MTC control channels.
 30. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein a narrow bandwidth isallocated within the wide system bandwidth for MTC communication.